Zen (Zazen, Koans, Soto, Rinzai)

Zen is a path of awakening centred on the absolute primacy of zazen, seated meditation, which Dogen identifies not as a means but as the direct expression of awakening (shusho ichinyo). Soto practices shikantaza (just sitting), while Rinzai works with the koan, a riddle insoluble by analysis that provokes a qualitative rupture of consciousness (satori/kensho). The principles include mu-shotoku (practice without goal or gain) and the mind-to-mind transmission from master to disciple (i-shin-den-shin), with devices such as dokusan (interview) and sesshin (intensive retreat). The author specifies that Zen is not a therapy but an existential path with an indirect therapeutic effect (stress regulation, reduction of rumination, relationship to pain), to be distinguished from secularized mindfulness.

This therapy is covered in detail (principles, indications, protocol, level of evidence) in Volume 8 of the Mémento des Psychothérapies. See the volume.